Topic:
James Alexander Waugh (1920-1942)

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James Alexander Waugh attended Tauranga District High School. He saw action during World War II but was reported missing on 11 June 1944 after an aircraft accident at sea.

James Alexander Waugh was born on 12 January 1920, the son of Arthur Eley and Evelyn Waugh (nee Osgood) who married in 1904 (reg. 1904/1692). He attended school at Tauranga District High School and gained his Teachers C Certificate.

James joined the 3rd Battalion of the Army Terratorial Service, Auckland Regiment for training.

He transferred from the Army to Air Force Air crew on 12 February 1942.

James was reported missing on 11 June 1944 as the result of an aircraft accident at sea.

This article appeared in the Bay of Plenty Beacon on 27 June 1944:

SUB-LIEUT, J. A. WAUGH With the loss in action of Sub-Lieut James Alexander Waugh, of the Fleet Air Arm, Whakatane will mourn yet another fine and promising young man who was reared and educated here.

'Jim' as he was popularly known was schooled in this town before going to Vasanta College, Auckland, and his friends in these parts were legion. The youngest son of Mrs E. Waugh of Belvedere Street, Epson, Auckland, he was born twenty-four years ago at Kaponga, Taranaki, and came to the Bay of Plenty when a child. Deciding on the teaching profession he entered the Teacher's Training College and was posted from there to the Mount School, Tauranga, and then to Waitomo.

On the outbreak of war he enlisted for the Territorial Force at the age of nineteen, and gained a commission of 2nd Lieutenant, which he resigned after a short period to join the Fleet Air Arm. He did his initial training in England and later went to Canada where he gained his wings, returning again to England where he received his commission of Sub-Lieutenant. For a considerable period, he was retained as instructor, somewhere at sea, and during that period made many friends in the service. His death occurred in operations connected with the opening of the Second Front.

'Jim' Waugh was known for his happy disposition and sterling qualities. He was fond of music, and actively participated in most sports. An elder brother Pilot Officer L. O. Waugh, is serving with the R.A.F in England while another brother, equally well known in Whakatane, Sgt A. LeF. Waugh, has now returned to civil life after 31/2 years service in the Middle East.

James is remembered in Tauranga's Memorial Grove, two rows of totara trees located on Fifteenth Avenue which stand as a memorial to 41 former Tauranga District High School students killed during World War II (1939-1945).